"No!" and other fun 18 month observations

We are at a place with Noah and Samuel that language really isn't an issue. They completely understand us (sometimes far better than we realize!) and are really good at communicating with us. We find ourselves spelling things a lot and sometimes Noah will say random letters when talking to us, I think, because he hears us do that. Samuel has been slower at language acquisition, but Noah is so extremely extroverted (for example, he prefers company while he goes potty) that he has picked up language more rapidly simply because he MUST talk. Samuel, however, has much better enunciation. Noah has more to say, but is not as easily understood as Samuel.

So now it's Tristan's turn to learn English. At 18 months he doesn't talk a lot. I mean, he talks all.the.time, just not anything we understand. At his 18 month appointment the Dr. ordered a hearing test and referred me to a local early intervention program. I'm still not sure I'll have his hearing tested... after all this is the kid that is easily awakened by noise. I'm pretty sure he hears us fine. I'm just praying about whether I want to put him through a test. Once we are settled in our new home I will definitely have the early intervention program assess him.

Anyway, Tristan is saying a few words and mimics tons of words. Currently he says Mama, NO!, banana (each syllable is it's own word), more, and milk. I'm sure I'm leaving some words out. By far, his favorite word is NO. He says it in a very clipped, quick, almost French-sounding way. And often his no means NO, but about half the time he really means yes. I have tried and tried and tried to get him to say yes or yeah or anything besides no when he means yes. Last week I was holding some Goldfish crackers while he was sitting near me in his highchair. I asked if he wanted some and he said No! while shaking his head no, but then would smile and bounce in his chair (which means yes in Tristan body language). I tried over and over, but he kept saying No.

Tristan really seems to understand everything we say to him. He helps to clean up when asked (or even if he sees his brothers doing so), he goes to his highchair if I ask him to, he brings me toys or other objects that I ask for, he recognizes the name of certain videos that he loves and he pretty much obeys our requests. That is, unless we ask him to "Come here." He will not obey that request. Ever. Especially if it involves a diaper change. And he can't be tricked or lured.

Another thing about Tristan at this age that I want to document on the ole blog... He LOVES Kuma, the dog we are living with. Kuma is a pomeranian and Tristan loves to pet him or put his face up to him (Tristan is a snuggler, so this is an endearing action for him). He is not mean to Kuma; he doesn't pull his tail or ears. He just loves him. I really think Noah's fear of Kuma has calmed dramatically by seeing his brothers love on Kuma.

Tristan has also developed a love for bread. I seriously have to hide bread at meals so that he will eat some protein and fruits and veggies first. Noah and Samuel are total carb-lovers and Tristan seems to be following in their footsteps. He's also gotten a little picky. There are some foods he absolutely won't eat... but nothing is really consistent. I think it depends on his mood. Yesterday when the boys had rice and beans I gave Tristan some turkey lunch meat (because N&S kill a box of rice and beans on their own; I need to remember to get the family size box so Tristan can have some). Today I tried to give him some turkey because I just knew he wouldn't eat mac and cheese. And go figure - he scarfed down the mac and cheese and wouldn't touch the turkey. What a kid.

Another thing Tristan has started doing is what I think is the beginning of temper tantrums. In the last few weeks, after asking Tristan to come and then I go and take his hand to walk him to where I want him, he falls to the floor. Lovely. And just in the last few days he's begun screaming loudly in short little bursts (intentionally, of course) while hitting whatever is around him - the wall, the island, the toy bin, etc. He does this when he doesn't get his way. I just know that any day now he will be throwing himself on the floor, kicking and screaming, like I did when I was his age. My mom and dad like to mention that it sounds like I have a little one that's a lot like how I was at that age. Great!!

Tristan LOVES to brush his teeth. He LOVES the movies UP and the pirate Veggies Tales movie (don't know the name!).

Another thing Tristan has started doing is running to the fridge, especially at 10 a.m. For as long as N&S have been home, they've watched Sesame Street if we are home. And when it comes on I give them their morning snack, usually cheese. Tristan has joined them and runs to the fridge when the music for Sesame Street begins. He pounds on it and whines.

There's just so much personality wrapped up into this little dude. I'm looking forward to when he does start talking because I feel like he's often frustrated that he can't tell us exactly what he wants. Maybe that's where the screaming comes in? We are so blessed by him and his adoring big brothers every.single.day. Life has been interesting these last few months, but these kids continue to thrive and create joy for us.

Moving!

Today is an exciting day for us because we are picking up keys to our new house. I guess I'm a dork because I am SOOOOO looking forward to cleaning this afternoon. We've been staying with our friends for nearly 9 weeks now... we are so grateful that we have friends who'd host our crazy bunch for over 2 months. I will blog about them another day because they are some awesome peeps... especially their two kids.

So, the plan is that I clean this afternoon and begin moving items from our smaller storage unit that consists of mostly stuff that was packed in our van (all the last minute stuff). We will continue moving stuff tomorrow and on Saturday morning we will empty our huge storage unit with the help of some new friends and a 26 foot U-haul truck. Then I will begin unpacking at a frenzied pace so that we can get the house in some sort of order before moving our kids into it.

While these past 9 weeks have been a stretch for us, I can't help but think of the people of Haiti. Before the earthquake their living conditions were far less than I've ever experienced. And now the majority of the population is living in makeshift tents. That has really helped me keep things in perspective as we've shared space with our friends. Even during a rough patch in my life, I'm still so very blessed and have so much more than most of the world. I hope I never forget that.

5 Slim

Friday morning Noah came downstairs with naked ankles. It seems he had a growthspurt overnight! We went to the store and bought him 5 slim jeans.

I can't believe my just-recently-turned-4 year old (Nov) is already in size 5 pants. Shirts, too. These are some tall little boys! We need the 5 tops for length in the arms and belly. 4's just aren't long enough for them.

I recently received the boys' medical records in the mail and I was able to see just how much they've grown. Samuel was one ounce shy of 27 lbs when he came home from Haiti and Noah was 29 1/2 lbs. At their four year old check up (14 months after coming home) Noah was 41.5 lbs and Samuel was 40.5 lbs. And they both grew SIX inches in that time. Insane. Just insane.

He Spins

Tristan, that is. When music comes on and he's in the mood to dance, he spins in circles - and he matches the speed of his spin to the music.

He loves it and so do we.

Sometimes if we ask him to dance he'll spin without the music.

Gosh, I love that kid. I just love watching him grow up and do new things.

Fun in the Snow

The weekend of Chuck's birthday was a lot of fun. It had rained for a number of days before the weekend, so the mountains surrounding us were snow covered. Chuck decided we should go play in the snow at Mount Charleston, a 45 minute drive from here.

I was hesitant because almost all of our warmer winter clothes are in storage. Between the small amount we had and some we were able to borrow, we were ready to face the snow for a little while. We joined forces with our favorite people, Vince, Jen, Marissa and Dawson. We had a serious snow ball fight and then the big kids and dads built a snowman. It was free fun for us all and it's just so cool that we can drive to the snow like that.

Here are a number of pictures that Jen took.

Snow Angels, Daddy and NoahTristan enjoyed eating the snow :)

Lil Haitians in the snow

Proud of their snowman!

Tristan refused to wear his hat much

(much like his refusal of bibs)

Daddy, Noah and Samuel

All of us :)